No matter what kind of factory you own, dealing with wastewater is of huge importance both for the health of your employees and the environment. Not only this, but any faulty actions regarding your wastewater can earn you different fines and lawsuits, which is definitely something you’d want to avoid. Therefore, this article will tell you more about the importance of wastewater management and possible outcomes if you leave your wastewater untreated.
Most common pollutants
Your wastewater is a byproduct of your factory's uses and processes, and the pollutants in it tend to vary depending on what the water was exposed to. However, there are certain contaminants that can be found quite often in wastewaters factories have to deal with. Metals are one of the most common pollutants that can be found in them. They are usually present in wastewaters of factories that deal with household piping and manufacturing processes. Other dangerous pollutants are pathogens, which are similar to fungi and lead to various health issues, some of which can even result in death. Other common pollutants include synthetic chemicals, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, nitrates, and phosphates.
No matter which of these pollutants there are in your factory's wastewater, it's very important that you deal with them correctly. Of course, the pollutants in your wastewater have to be identified, and certain measures have to be applied accordingly.
Common wastewater treatment options
There are numerous ways factories deal with their wastewater. However, your options for dealing with it depend heavily on what your factory is doing.
One of the options many factories go for is discharging wastewater into the local municipality. Of course, if you want to do this, you’ll first have to check with your local municipality what kind of regulations regarding wastewater there are in your area. Most municipalities will demand that you clean your wastewater before you discharge it.
Another common way of dealing with it is recycling. This means you can actually reuse your wastewater and thus avoid discharging it. Of course, recycling means you'll need special equipment that's going to make it usable again. We are talking about machines such as heat exchangers which enable heat transfer from wastewater to process water you’re going to use.
Reasons for treating wastewater
With so many pollutants that can be found in wastewater, investing in wastewater management is of great importance. These pollutants can seriously harm people and nature around your factory and that's why wastewater has to be dealt with correctly. Moreover, if wastewater isn't managed properly, it can also affect your process and hurt your products. However, there are wastewater management regulations that have to be met. If you fail to do so, you might be looking at huge fines which are always going to hurt your work.
As mentioned above, recycling is one of the most common ways factories deal with their wastewater and there are several reasons why you should consider it. First of all, it’s important to say that even though the earth is 70% water, water isn't an infinite resource as many people believe. Due to the fact that there are so many water-stressed countries around the world, recycling wastewater is a great idea. Also, this means you won't have to finance transportation of your wastewater and you'll lower pollution risks.
The bottom line
Due to the fact that pollutants which can be found in wastewater can seriously hurt both people and environment, it's absolutely necessary that you invest in your wastewater treatment. Buying wastewater management equipment is a much better option than having to pay huge fines or cause someone serious health issues. In the future, we can only expect to see more technologies designed especially to help factories improve their wastewater management, which means you should keep an eye on new machines you can get for your factory.

Turning your home into an eco-friendly place is definitely not an easy task. Still, in order to answer the question of how to design a green home, we first need to answer the question of what a green home actually is. While there are several factors that can make your house more or less eco-friendly, here are some of the major ones (some of which you could definitely use during the planning stage).h
1. Building a tiny house
The first thing you might want to consider when planning on designing a green home is the size of the place. First of all, a smaller place requires less material, and is therefore both effort- and budget-efficient, aside from being eco-friendly. Additionally, the smaller the place, the easier it is to heat it up or cool it down, which is once more a green trend.
For this reason alone, the tiny house movement became a thing, where people all over the globe advocate construction of homes between 100 and 400 square feet large. When compared to an American average of 2,600 square feet, you can see just how revolutionary this idea actually is. Earlier, we’ve also mentioned the matter of budget-friendliness. According to statistics, 68 percent of tiny house owners have no mortgage to their name whatsoever.
2. The materials used
Another thing you might want to consider during the construction of your home is the choice of construction materials. First of all, there are two things that make a material eco-friendly. The first one is the nature of the material. We are talking about grasscrete, rammed earth, hempcrete, bamboo, recycled plastic and even some of the more traditional ones like timber. You also need to consider the location at which these materials are produced. You see, importing Italian marble would mean that you have to ship it all across the world and this kind of transport costs a fortune. Because of this, opting for materials that are available in your county is a better choice.
Finally, you need to make sure your home is 100 percent safe for all the inhabitants. This is why, in case you are simply doing some construction work on an already existing structure, you might want to look for materials such as asbestos. In case where you already have some in your home, you might want to consider removing it, but this alone is not a simple task. Your best bet would be to search for people who deal with asbestos removal in Sydney and get in touch with them.
3. Zero-energy home
In the end, in order to make your home truly green, you need to think about bringing it one step closer to becoming truly zero-energy. This consists of two parts. The first one is finding a way to make your home generate its own power, while the second one is reducing the carbon footprint of your household.
When it comes to the first-mentioned issue, the most obvious solution would be installing some solar panels on your roof. This way, you can make your household quite self-sustainable. On the other hand, this is an investment that can take from 8 to 12 years to pay off. With this in mind, people who are on a tighter budget may want to consider doing something less radical like installing a solar-powered water heater in their bathroom (which can pay off within the first 2 years).
When it comes to reducing your home’s carbon footprint, there are also two things you might want to consider. The first one is switching to low-power appliances and LED lights. The latter method gives you the same intensity of illumination with a much more convenient watt-to-lumen ratio. Aside from this, you might need to invest quite the sum in insulating your home and installing quality double-glazing windows. This can save you a small fortune.
Conclusion
This list could go on and on, and the three above mentioned tips are simply the tip of the iceberg of all you can do to make your home greener. You should also check the area before you start building to make sure that you are not disturbing surrounding wildlife with your presence. One last thing, those who truly intend to go green need to look beyond this construction and realize that eco-friendliness is not a trend but a lifestyle.

Whether you are a builder, a developer, or a homeowner and want to construct something that can potentially affect the environment, you will have to hire an environmental consultant. If you don’t know what can affect the environment, then let us quickly give you all the ins and outs. Constructing man-made ponds, building near wildlife habitats, tinkering with water sources, building on questionable soil, etc. can all affect the environment in numerous ways.
That is why your local government has made the laws that are there to protect the environment from exploits. The only way to be certain that you are running the whole operation according to environmental regulations is to get an assessment from an environmental consultant.
So, what are the traits of a professional environmental consultant? To answer that question, we have created this list of tips to find the right environmental consulting company for your job, so let’s just jump into it.
Know your project
Before you even start looking for a consulting company, make sure you are completely familiar with the project you are working on and what the final product will look like. An environmental consultant will make sure that everything is done according to the laws and regulations of your state, but it will be your job to set the goals and prepare for everything.
For example, some environmental regulations will make you step out of your budget, so it will be your job to compensate for that. That is why knowing your limitations and knowing your project plays a crucial role.
Evaluate the consulting company
As with every business, there are some bad apples, some companies that don’t do their work properly. If environmental consulting is a completely new thing for you, it will be hard to tell apart the good ones from the bad ones. However, we have some advice for you.
First, look at their previous experience. You can learn a lot about a company just by looking at whom they have worked with before. Second, look at their previous projects. Some companies don’t have enough experience with large-scale projects. Lastly, contact their old clients to see if everything checks out. It is one thing to read praise on their website, but if previous clients don’t tell the same story, it is usually a sign of trouble. To give you an example of an outstanding environmental consulting company, we recommend visiting the EnviroX Consulting website. They tick all boxes that we have previously mentioned and offer transparency from the get-go.
Create a contract
Once you find a suitable consulting company, the next step is to create and negotiate a contract. Go through everything thoroughly, from start to finish. Describe in detail what their work will consist of. Ask for warranties, in case some task isn’t completed. Also, negotiate the price. Expenses pile up easily, so knowing the estimated cost will help you plan your budget. Lastly, set the beginning and end date. With jobs like these, it is important to create a deadline, otherwise, you risk blowing up your budget and messing up the whole operation.
Make sure that all the boxes are checked
We have one last advice for you, and that is to check the work after it is done. Sometimes people overlook details and then there are companies that just look for ways to cut corners. To make sure that everything from the contract is completed, carefully go through it and inspect the finished project. Unfortunately, that is the only way.
And that is all that you need to know when hiring an environmental consulting company. As you can see, it is not rocket science, but you will have to be thorough with your research, so you don’t end up hiring an inexperienced company.

If you want to start purifying your drinking water , it’s important to get familiar with what kind of filters there are on the market. There are two most common kinds, Ultraviolet (UV) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters, and if you’re unsure which type to choose, here is a brief overview outlining their advantages and disadvantages. You will find out how they work and what their benefits and limitations are that will hopefully help you decide which filter to buy. Have a look.
Reverse osmosis filters
Reverse Osmosis filters work by extracting inorganic solids from water by pushing water through a thin semipermeable membrane. This membrane has a tight structure that is highly effective in extracting contaminants from the drinking water. Collected impurities from the filters are simply washed down the drain.
Just to name the few, a reliable reverse osmosis system is successful in removing lead, asbestos, chlorine, detergents, fluoride, nitrates, sulphates and pesticides from the water. All these contaminants can easily enter streams, rivers, and aquifers and get to your home. Another good thing is that Reverse Osmosis filters exclude ions out of the water, making your water pure of salts, sugars, and bacteria.
Additionally, RO filters can also block radioactive elements like plutonium and strontium. Just like the UV filters, RO filters are affordable and require regular maintenance performed either by the homeowner or the expert. RO membranes and filters need to be replaced every 6 months to 2 years, depending on the water quality, water usage, and the type of system you use. Quality units, as this Clear Choice Water Filters reverse osmosis system, improve both the taste and smell of your water, making it perfect for drinking.
Ultraviolet filters
Ultraviolet filters use rays from a UV light source and they use radiation to kill inactive viruses and bacteria. They aim at their DNA structure and successfully stop them from reproducing and spreading. UV rays protect against waterborne bacteria, mould, viruses, and other microorganisms that cause diseases. UV also eliminates hepatitis virus that can be resistant to chlorine that is used to disinfect water.
Simply said, ultraviolet filters are probably the best defence system against biological contaminants. UV filtered water is completely tasteless, odourless and colourless which makes it perfect for drinking. Also, you will not need any professional help in maintaining UV filters, and the only thing you need to do is change the UV bulb yearly. Another upside is that the process of purification is relatively fast, so the production of the water isn’t limited.
UV filters have many benefits, but they have limitations as well. UV filters work wonders on biological contaminants, but they cannot protect you from inorganic impurities. Contaminants, such as chlorine, heavy metals, and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals that get into the ground waters during production processes of paint, petroleum and different refrigerants) cannot be removed from water by using UV filters.
In order to ensure your household gets completely clean water, you might consider combining UV filters with Granular Activated Carbon filters or Kinetic Degradation Fluxion filters. The combination of those will filter out all organic and inorganic impurities and make your water completely safe to drink.
As you can see, both UV and RO filter systems have their advantages and limitations. UV filters are unprecedented in their defence against organic contaminates, and RO filters excel in fighting inorganic impurities. Both are excellent, but they cannot produce completely pure water on their own. If you want to ensure you get the best quality water in your household, consider combining the two systems. This way you will be safe from both organic and inorganic contaminants. Before you decide, make sure to test your water and see what impurities it contains and then choose the water filter accordingly.

Construction business in known to have a great effect on many aspects of our life and environment protection is most certainly one of them. For example, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) estimates that almost one third of raw material consumption and approximately the same percentage of greenhouse gas emissions are directly related to this field of industry. When you add the fact that more than 10% of potable water use is also closely connected with construction business, it becomes quite clear why companies from all over the world are looking into the ways to make their business more sustainable and environment friendly.
Regardless of your specialization, both commercial and residential construction can really benefit from more sustainable processes. It can actually be your unique selling proposition that your customers will recognize and decide to hire you, particularly because the awareness of the importance of going green rises constantly. If your company manages to create such a market advantage, it will be recording much better results, while at the same time being responsible and respectful towards the environment.
Whether existing public and commercial buildings are renovated and retrofitted or new ones are built, the use of environmentally responsible and energy efficient materials and technologies will create many benefits. Let’s have a look at some of them.
Increased revenue
It’s been projected that green and sustainable building revenue will continue to grow at this rate and pass $300 billion by the end of this year. The number of people employed in this industry is also continuing to grow and so is the demand for green building projects. That is an excellent opportunity for your company to increase its revenue if you are able to meet the requirements of the market.
When you look at sustainable homes and buildings, you may not be able to notice the difference between them and traditional facilities. Still, specialized designs and materials that decrease the negative impact on environment will provide many advantages to those using the spaces constructed in this way.
In order to be able to achieve this goal, you need to gather a team of motivated and skilled architects, construction engineers, suppliers of materials and equipment as well as experts in construction waste removal. Managing to create such a team will significantly increase your chances of boosting your revenue.
Bigger budgets
Truth be told, it’s not cheap to create sustainable homes and buildings, since you need to be ready to splash out more initially. Experience has shown that green construction projects are up to 10 percent more expensive than traditional construction projects. Naturally, the exact costs depend on many factors, such as design, materials, schedule and location, but clients need to be ready to spend more up-front.
Still, they can full expect their investment to pay off soon through lower electricity and water bills, maintenance fees and increased resale value of the property. Also, some countries offer special tax incentives, which stimulate sustainable construction and, depending on your location, this could be another significant saving.
Needless to say, such tax credits come with numerous rules and requirements, but every knowledgeable contractor or construction company should know what is necessary. This is also another service you can offer to your clients – advisory and consulting services.
Remodelling and retrofitting
This is another area that has become much more popular recently. People are using the opportunity to have their existing facilities remodelled and retrofitted in a way that will bring about all the benefits of a green building. Companies which focus only on new buildings are missing out on great opportunities to convert and improve facilities with tradition and history into much more environment-friendly places and to make more profit.
More and more homeowners are remodelling their homes using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient appliances, smart designs and other features of green living. Again, the initial investment, which can be substantial, is usually very quickly paid off through lower bills, maintenance fee and increased resale value of the property.
Final remarks
With more and more companies and construction managers doing everything they can to become certified in sustainable construction, you need to make sure you don’t fall behind, since this is undoubtedly an industry on the rise and its seems that the growth is here to stay for a while.
Failing to respond to the modern-day demand might see you without job sooner than you think. The increasingly strict rules and regulations that impose requirements related to construction and environment protection are serving as a filter that separates those who are ready and capable to adapt from those who haven’t succeeded or even tried to adapt their business to the new circumstances.

“Any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, as biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, and hydroelectric power, that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel.” – This is the definition of renewable energy. In other words, the movement of wind and water, or the heat and light of the sun are all potential renewable energy sources!
A brief history
The first thing that comes to mind when you think ‘renewable energy’ might be a very progressive, clean technology, but, in truth, our ancestors were using nothing but renewable energy (with a few exceptions) before the Industrial Revolution brought coal to the equation.
In addition to being a history of our entire civilization, the discovery and utilization of fire is the beginning of the use of renewable energy. Other uses of renewable energy before industrialization include animal labor (using cattle to drive ploughs and turn millstones), wind for traveling across bodies of water, dams to harness the power of the flowing water and many more.
Wind power
Quite obviously, wind turbines harness air currents and convert them into power. Wind power is plentiful and inexhaustible and the use of wind turbines is only limited in areas that aren’t windy enough all year-round.
Wind turbines come in different styles and sizes, but the most common, “horizontal axis” design works by having two or three blades spin upwind of the tower that the turbine sits on. The rotor is attached to a low-speed shaft, that is further connected to the gear box that spins the generator, which produces energy.
The downside to powering your home with a wind energy is outlined in the fact that some areas have deemed it illegal and that wind power systems tend to be quite loud.
Water power
Harvesting renewable energy from water comes in two shapes: the hydroelectric and the hydrokinetic energy. Hydroelectric power is the world’s largest source of renewable energy and it works by using water to spin a turbine, which further rotates a generator to create electricity. From a rough standpoint, one gallon of water per second falling one hundred feet generates one kilowatt of electricity.
Hydrokinetic energy, on the other hand, is based on waves crashing on the beach and rivers rushing through sloping valleys. The gadgets called “hydrokinetic energy conversion devices” are either wave energy converters (WECs) or rotating devices. The converters use the motion of two or more bodies relative to each other – the first one is acted on by the waves, while the second one works as a reactor. The rotating devices are pretty much based on the wind turbine technology.
Solar power
Last but not least, solar power still remains the most popular form of renewable energy. Seeing as the sun is, from our perspective, an inexhaustible resource, using it to supply a significant portion of our electricity needs is quite a logical idea. Solar panels are definitely the most common devices related to solar power, but these do come with one major deficiency – they obviously don’t work during nighttime. Fortunately, there is a way around this and the solution is outlined in energy storing. A brand-new energy storage evolution comes from Tesla Powerwall 2, which has an incredible 14 kWh of battery storage!
Using solar panels to harvest energy from the sun in combination with batteries to store the power is the renewable energy solution of the future!
The focus of humanity needs to be turning towards renewable energy, regardless of whether we’re talking about wind, water, or sunlight; in reality, the solution to our pollution problem is likely a combination of the three!

Not that there are many households that actually support solar energy, we could all use a little education on the matter. Once solar energy benefits become available, i.e. known to the broader public, the chance to actually switch to solar will be getting bigger by the second.
Solar energy is one of the best ways to ensure you have plenty of energy, without investing too much or causing harm to your immediate environment. Besides being an affordable alternative, there are many more benefits you should review before upgrading your home to solar power.
If you’ve been considering switching to solar energy, these are just a few facts you should be aware of:
Cheap Energy
Solar energy is a renewable energy source, which means you only need the sun to ensure you’ve got enough energy for your daily chores (run appliances, gadgets, etc.). Luckily, the Aussies have plenty of sunny days, which means your battery will be filled and ready at any time.
Low Investments
Although it might seem you have to pay a lot at once, over time, your rig will allow you to save some money. Furthermore, there’s a low payback period for those who wish to take out a loan on it. Reports from 2016 show that Australians are hooked on solar energy and aren’t afraid to upgrade. It’s a smart – AND CLEAN - investment, after all, so we totally understand the rush!
Become Sustainable
With a government incentive to help you get started, your home is bound to become more sustainable over time. Since the energy crisis in southern Australia, it’s become even more attractive to get your solar panels. Plus, you will be giving a bit back to nature and the government as well. Actually, feeling like you are contributing on a global scale is pretty great, don’t you think?
Increasing Your Home’s Value
No matter how long you plan on staying in your current home, there’s a chance that you might sell it sooner or later. Adding solar panels will only increase its value, especially if you install other upgrades to make it better. Think of it as a long-term investment that will make your home better.
Easy to Scale
Sometimes it’s rather hard to plan how much energy you will need for your home, and with solar energy, you’re not at the mercy of an existing gridline. Since you can get solar panels from Sydney, transport costs won’t be too expensive either. This is why the best thing to do is explore your options before you purchase and opt for the best quality possible.
Predictability
No matter how much you want to make energy usage calculable, it’s impossible in most cases. However, with a professionally installed solar energy system, you will be able to predict exactly how much you have to pay, every month. Without any hidden costs. Phenomenal AND cost-effective!
Reliability
The only bad side of solar energy is when you don’t have enough sunny days, which you have plenty of in the great Outback. This is exactly why Australia is investing in one of the world’s biggest solar energy farm, with a huge battery to back up everything. Over time, it will help alleviate the ongoing energy crisis.
New Jobs
Besides helping your own home become better, the solar energy industry allows for more people to find jobs. With a bigger demand from year to year, it comes as no surprise that there’ll be a shortage of workers soon enough.
Steady Electricity Prices
You cannot stop prices from rising, and no matter what you do, you have to go with the changes, i.e. pay whatever it is they tell us we need to pay. Still, with more alternative energy to help the system out, it is possible to keep a steady price range.
Opening up New Markets
With the chance to improve your environment and open up new jobs, it’s only a matter of time before the solar energy business expands even more. Australia is already becoming a major force in solar battery sales, and it doesn’t seem it is about to slow down at all. With new battery technologies being developed, the market will become ever more profitable.

There are a number of reasons to repurpose your farm for sustainable farming, one of them being increased efficiency and decreased upkeep and production costs. But beyond that, sustainable farming entails the simple premise of introducing environmentally-friendly practices and techniques that will not only preserve the nature, animal welfare and the surrounding ecosystem, it will also aid in the battle against global warming by cutting down on greenhouse gases emission and energy and water consumption.
The benefits are numerous to switching to sustainable farming, and here is how you can do it safely and effectively.
Assess the natural resources
One of the key elements of sustainability is giving back to nature as much as you are taking from it, if not a bit more. Given the fact that agriculture is the leading consumer of fresh water in the world, it’s very important to asses where your natural resources are coming from and what you can do to minimize their consumption.
One of the things you can do is change the way you use water for irrigation purposes and introduce an eco-friendly irrigation system such as rain water harvesting. Additionally, you want to minimize the negative impact of energy consumption and the burning of fossil fuels by implementing a solar, wind-powered or other renewable energy source to power you farm which will in turn result in decreased operational expenses, among other, eco-friendly benefits.
Adopt a green mindset
If you want to minimize expenses, save the environment and boost productivity, you need to think of areas where you can implement a recycling practice. This means using recyclable materials, investing in quality reusable tools and equipment as well as reducing and optimizing the consumption of resources.
Also, implement some smart ideas such as attracting animals that are beneficial to your operation, like birds, ladybugs and bats that will feed on insects but not on the crops. Introduce managed grazing, the practice of rotating the grazing areas of livestock - this will reduce erosion, help with soil fertilization, and control weed growth.
Assess and feed the soil
Soil structure, acidity and care are your most important factors that will determine the growth of plants and the health and quality of livestock. Therefore it’s imperative to check the soil for its fertility, differences in acidity that suit different types of plants and animals and finally, to determine the best upkeep practices. These are very delicate tasks and they are performed by professional geotechnical engineering consultants that specialize in soil assessment, management and green waste removal practices.
Speaking of waste removal, sustainable farming means cutting down on waste production and eliminating waste accumulation and transportation of non-recyclable materials to landfills, by implementing recyclable, reusable and renewable practices across the farming operation.
Managing the soil properly will mean the difference between healthy, sustainable agriculture and a red light from the governing bodies. Some of the best practices include managing soil distribution. This means that you should limit and eliminate any practices that might disrupt the health of the soil, such as excessive fertilizer or pesticide use, improper use of inputs, compacting and tiling.
Secondly, diversify your crops and plant crops throughout the year. Biodiversity feeds the soil with more nutrients and helps control weed growth and the spread of disease. Additionally, you can help feed the underground root network by growing living roots, as root sugars give the necessary organisms to the soil in order to promote plant growth and nutrient distribution.
In conclusion
Sustainable farming is not a taxing chore, it’s an investment for the future. With its eco-friendly practices and renewable production methods, sustainable farms are able to not only preserve the surrounding ecosystem and reduce the harmful footprint humans leave on the planet, but also bring healthier products to the consumers and minimize costs for the farmer.

Waste management has become a serious issue in the world ever since the rise of industrialization and the population boom that started in the 20th century. With over 7 billion people across the globe producing waste within their homes, companies and communities, a need arises to educate people and promote waste management in order to battle the effects of global warming and decrease the harmful effect that waste production has on the environment.
Assess the amount of waste you produce
Start your waste management plan by writing down the amount of waste your household, company or project produces on a monthly basis. You can categorize waste into different types such as scraps, human waste, water waste, energy waste and natural materials. Additionally, remember to note the trash produced by excavation and building crews, if you are running a renovation project.
Every waste management situation will have different parameters, so make sure to observe all crucial elements in waste production. When managing waste in your company, you will have to account for the amount of waste that every employee produces and that will include water, energy and material waste.
After you’ve assessed the amount of produced waste, you can divide it into recyclables, reusable materials and refuse. Recyclable waste is usually consisted of flyers, clothes, bottles, plastic and paper, among other.
Refuse materials are mainly consisted of kitchen and industrial waste in the form of old cleaning supplies, cords, bulbs and electrical trash, and is best reduced to a minimum by limiting consumption and opting for more durable, long-lasting items, such as switching from regular lighting to LED lighting, etc.
Lastly, reusable “waste” can be anything you can make use of for a prolonged period of time, such as partially printed paper, delivery boxes, jars and paper bags.
Set up an action plan
Once you are finished with categorizing and have assessed the amount of waste, you’ll need a concrete plan of action for each type of waste. Note that waste disposal is not cheap and it’s always better to prevent waste accumulation and production than to deal with excessive amounts of it every month. Along with being better for your budget, prevention is eco-friendly as you are reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emission and waste production.
You can limit the amount of resources you use that later become refuse and use only the reusable and recyclable materials. Instead of constantly changing traditional light bulbs that consume and waste vast amounts of energy, switch to LED lighting that preserves the energy and lasts longer. In addition to saving energy, it will also cost you less.
Further, in order to reduce water waste, make sure that all water sources are only used when necessary and fix every leakage. Opt for water-saving appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators that are energy-friendly.
Recycling is fairly easy - you just need to love nature enough. Make sure to divide your recyclables into different bags and learn the schedule of your neighborhood’s recyclable waste pickups.
Finally, you can move onto planning your refuse waste management. Trash is bound to accumulate at some point, and after you’ve implemented all the new rules of reusing and recycling, it’s time to get rid of the trash you are left with.
Start by noting the means you will use to dispose of your trash by assessing the cost, choosing removal crews and types of vehicles they have depending on the amount of waste you’re dealing with. Waste can often be difficult to classify, and in order to avoid hitting a roadblock in your disposal efforts, make sure to consult with environmental experts about proper waste classification.
Lastly, draw up concrete goals for you waste reduction project. You’ll need a realistic set of goals if you want to make your waste management plan work. You can define these by assessing the percentage of trash you want to reduce over a period of time, all the while increasing the use of recyclable and reusable materials.
Waste management is no easy task as it requires planning, preparation, time and effort, but with these guidelines you will be able to create a concrete plan of action to boost your waste management efforts and make the process as quick and efficient as possible.

We’re in the process of poisoning our planet. Luckily, people are becoming aware of this, which is the very reason behind the term ‘ecological awareness’. Plants and factories, however, have a bad reputation in this department, because they really are one of the main culprits for global pollution. Fortunately, the manufacturing process is slowly becoming eco-friendly and if you want to make your own plant as green as possible, you can start with these five tips.
1. Know Your Facility
The first step towards “greening” your manufacturing plant is finding out how much energy it is actually using. The final goal here is, of course, reducing the overall usage. You are probably aware of some rough estimates with regards to how big a number is in question and, without a doubt, you know exactly which pieces of technology are the main culprits; we’re talking boilers, heaters, conveyor belts, electric motors, air compressors, chillers and the like. Without a proper energy audit, however, you’re going to miss out on key data, which, if presented before you, will fill you in on the exact items and processes that need to be closely monitored and probably tweaked or replaced.
2. Renewable Energy
For some reason, factory owners don’t hold renewable energy in highest regard, probably because the whole thing sounds too good to be true and owing to the fact that plants do need a ton of electricity. Renewable energy, however, is very misunderstood; in fact, you are probably underestimating the power of nature. For example, while all of us know all about solar power, wind, heat and even rain can also be used to generate enough energy to keep things functioning. Using a combination of at least two of the mentioned means of powering up your plant is the way to go – count on the fact that one element will experience downtime caused by nature.
3. Use Recycled Materials
Sure, everyone is worried about the environment, but factory owners tend to worry even more about their business. This is exactly why many still don’t use recycled materials – for some reason, they think that this will affect their end product’s quality. Well, this simply is not true. Don’t be reluctant about implementing recycled materials and make sure that you get your raw materials from a trusted vendor that makes them by recycling old items.
4. Water
As time goes by, the technology around us is evolving into “green”. Unfortunately, many simply choose to take this for granted and unreasonably consider any energy-reducing piece of equipment an unworthy investment. It is important that you realize that a ton of equipment in your factory uses way more energy than it really needs. Our advice is to start with water – regardless of what branch your manufacturing business is in, it relies on our planet’s most important liquid for a huge number of uses – from cleaning and production purposes to building and plant room infrastructure processes, water is simply everywhere. This is why equipping your plant with industrial UV water treatment systems is so important – they can be implemented into any water application that requires disinfection. By installing UV disinfection system, your plant can recycle and reuse industrial waste waters, thus reducing water usage and costs associated with wastewater discharge.
5. Connect
Looking for likeminded manufacturing businesses (in terms of environmental consciousness) is very useful and even more important, and this is why you need to connect – fighting against the tide of nature-poisoning businesses is best done as a part of a movement. Connect and look for inspiration – IKEA is the leader in the field of using sustainable forestry and clean energy, so look up to them!
Preserving our environment from impact of its biggest pollutant is of absolute essence and it is you, as a manufacturing plant owner, who can make a difference. Use these five ways to make your factory as eco-friendly as possible and don’t forget to follow the latest green trends!

The year 2017 might as well be be the right one for you to make your home more energy-efficient. The first step in deciding which home improvements you should consider is hiring a non-profit or professional specialist who will assess your energy consumption, detect issues contributing to energy loss, and recommend measures to achieve greater efficiency. Here are some home improvements that will help you reduce energy costs while keeping your home green and your energy sustainable.
Upgrading Home Weatherization
Gaps and cracks in your home’s thermal envelope can significantly increase your heating and cooling costs and dealing with them should come first. Such places will be unavailable for fixing once you install insulation. Even when optimal air sealing and insulation is achieved, you should not forget about regular maintenance of your heating and ventilation systems to ensure their maximum efficiency. Sometimes, a full replacement of currently used devices should also be considered.
Window Replacement
Choosing the right frame and glazing for your specific circumstances and climate when replacing your windows will improve the overall energy-efficiency of your home. Wood frames may be the most expensive solution, but they provide the best insulation and curb appeal. On the downside, they are not an ideal solution for humid climates and they require regular maintenance and repainting. Double paned Low-E glass windows with a vinyl frame are a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t require maintenance and repainting.
Roof Optimization
A cool roof will keep the heat away from homes by reflecting it. To achieve its benefits, you can coat your existing roof with reflective materials, but this can just be a short-term solution as it requires reapplication after a certain time which depends on the roof type. Also, most liquid coatings work best with certain types of roofs, such as membrane-based and metal roofs. They can be applied to asphalt shingles as well, although they tend to chip and crack with age, which may also be an environmental concern. In this case, complete re-roofing might be considered. If you decide to go for it, choose metal. It may be an expensive roof material, but it pays off in the long run due to its significant benefits such as durability and low maintenance. Choosing the right solution for your roof may be difficult. If you would rather leave all these decisions and work to a professional, be sure it is someone who is insured with valid contractor bonds to guarantee project completion and financial compensation if anything doesn’t go as planned.
Introducing Alternative Energy Sources
Think of introducing alternative energy sources as a supplement to your existing ones. Many homes today enhance or even substitute traditional sources of energy with solar panels installed on their roofs. The benefits are numerous: lower energy costs, decreased use of fossil fuels, use of renewable energy, etc. Where applicable, consider other renewable energy sources such as wind. Wind generators use the same concept as wind turbines, but on a smaller scale suitable for home use. Wind energy can also be stored for later with batteries. Consider these sources as an addition to primary energy sources and optimize them by using them for specific tasks, such as solar water heating.
Using a Rainwater Collector
Many communities around the world have used rainwater for different purposes, ranging from garden watering to drinking when proper water cleaning processes are involved. Even in cases when main or reticulated water supplies are available, properly collected and stored rainwater is a safe, cost-effective and sustainable water source. A water collection system will be especially worth the investment if you have considerable irrigation needs, experience frequent droughts or need to control drainage problems on your property.
Make it Green
These home improvements will help you save money, enable optimal temperature levels all year round and increase your indoor air quality. Making the most out of natural resources available to you will make your home more energy-efficient and green.

It is no secret that going green is today more import than ever. For this reason, many homeowners decide to turn their houses into real environmentally-friendly places. What’s great about this is that by aiding in preserving the nature this way you can also manage to save a lot of money. This is the case because the goals of every cautions homeowner should be using less energy, using less water and recycling. So if you decide to contribute to saving the environment, here are 5 low cost upgrades for your home that can do wonders for both nature and your wallet.
Add More Insulation
Insulation is something you should always consider when turning your home green. If there is more insulation in your home, you will be using less energy to keep it warm during the winter and cool during the summer. There are quite a few green insulation materials you ca choose from, with aerogel and cotton being among the most popular options. No matter which material you opt for, you will be guaranteed to use less energy during the whole year. Of course, this will also reduce the cost of your energy bills significantly.
Replace Old Windows
We have already mentioned how not letting either hot or cold air escape your home is one of the best things you can do when going green. Another great way to do this is to replace any old windows in your home. If there are any cracks in the window frames or the windows are simply too old, air can escape quite easily through them. If this is the case with your home, you are probably using much more electricity than it is necessary. Therefore, getting new windows should be your no.1 priority.
Plant Some Trees
Of course, you shouldn’t just stick to your house when going green. If there is a lot of place in your backyard planting a new tree is always a good thing to do. And if you want your tree to be even more useful, you should make sure you plant it on the west side of your home. That way, the branches will block the sunbeams during the summer, while in winter, bare branches will help allow infrared radiation that will warm up your home get through. Nuttall oak, red maple and weeping willow are just some of the trees you can opt for.
Go for Water-Efficient Fixtures
If you want your home to be more environmentally-friendly, you will also have to think about using less water. Even though turning off the tap when washing your hands and brushing your teeth is always a good thing to do, you should also consider installing some water-efficient fixtures in your bathroom. There are low flow shower heads that are just a perfect option for every green home. Also, there are aerators that maximize the flow rate of your faucets. If there are any leaks make sure you contact a 24 hour plumber in order to minimize the amounts of water that go to waste.
Get Solar Panels
A large number of homeowners also decides to install solar panels when going green. With these, you will be utilizing natural power and minimize your use of electricity. Even though getting solar panels seems like an expensive investment at first, if you are planning long run, these will in fact help you save quite a lot of money. It is also important to mention that in some countries, homeowners who decide to get these receive bonuses and huge tax breaks. Having all of this in mind, getting solar panels is always a great thing to do, both for the environment and your wallet.
Make sure you do all of these upgrades and you will be guaranteed to contribute quite a lot to preserving the environment. Bear in mind that you can never do too much when going green so keep looking for some further upgrades you can do.

Running an unsanitary home is a known cause of many complications and allergies are one of the most common ones. Cleaning a home with non-toxic materials, however, should be of utmost importance and priority – not only do toxic chemicals poison the environment, but can also be quite damaging for your own health, as well. This article will guide you through the main points of non-toxic home cleaning and care, towards an allergy-free home.
Cleaning by Room
Although it is vital that you keep each room clean and, therefore, healthy, different rooms require different cleaning approaches and means to reducing allergens.
Bedroom – Your bed is a perfect home ground for mites and allergens, so taking care of your bed cleaning should be done at least twice a week and vacuuming on a daily basis if you are prone to allergies. Encasing your pillows, mattresses and box springs in cover that are dust-mite-proof is also recommended.
Living Room – The room where you spend most of your personal time naturally needs a lot of cleaning. Perform dusting and vacuuming at least every other day in order to keep the allergies at bay and pay special attention to allergens’ breeding grounds, such as curtains. If you are especially prone to allergies, think about removing your carpeting and opt for hardwood or linoleum flooring. Given the fact that dust is the most common cause of allergies, think about browsing through air purifiers for your living room – these are great ways to fight dust and make your air fresh and clean.
Kitchen – Not only is keeping your food clean a key factor in maintaining your health, but the kitchen can also turn quite filthy, unless cleaned regularly. Make sure you wash your dishes on a daily basis – mold and food debris shouldn’t stay untended to for more than a couple of hours. Think about installing a vented exhaust fan, in order to remove cooking fumes and reduce mold-causing moisture.
Bathroom – Now perhaps the biggest problem with bathrooms is the mold – unless you have tiles installed on your shower walls and next to your bathtub, you are bound to experience mold on your walls, which is a known cause of health problems. When it comes to bathroom flooring, use tile, vinyl or linoleum to make cleaning easier. Additionally, an exhaust fan will reduce moisture greatly, after steaming baths and showers.
Basement – Although this is the least frequently visited room within your house, it is likely to turn into a cesspool of germs if not cleaned regularly. Water-damaged carpeting should be removed and the foundation and stairwells checked for any sources of leak-caused water damage. When it comes to your clothes dryer, make sure that the moisture is vented outside. The biggest problem with basements is clutter, so properly arranging your stored items is of essence, in order to avoid health hazards
Your Home in General
When it comes to the general cleaning overview of your house, it is essential that you establish a weekly cleaning routine. This is not to say that a bit of cleaning on a daily basis shouldn’t be performed, but that you should thoroughly clean your home at least once a week. Pro tip: if you aren’t a smoker, be strict about your non-smoking policy within the walls of your house
Keeping your house clean is vital for keeping the allergies at bay, even if you don’t have any significant allergen problems. These, however, aren’t the only health hazard an unclean home might cause, so exercising proper cleaning is vital, even if you do not suffer from allergies.

Going green has been a growing trend in the world for many years as more and more people become aware of the negative consequences of using chemical-heavy products. Women, in particular, are seeking alternative, natural and healthier solutions to their everyday problems. Following this trend, even the cosmetics industry has made organic skin care and beauty products a standard. Because choosing these products shows that we are responsible and make smart choices not just for ourselves but for the environment as well.
If you’re still indecisive about making the switch to organic makeup, here are a few reasons why you should go for it.
1. It’s safe for your health
Unlike conventional cosmetics, organic beauty products contain natural ingredients that have not been chemically treated in any way. They don’t contain synthetic additives, like artificial pigments, fragrances, preservatives, etc. Consequently, they cause far less undesired reactions and are considered to be truly hypo-allergenic. This makes them perfect for all skin types. Even the most sensitive ones.
However, bear in mind that skin care and makeup ingredients are only loosely regulated and are considered to be harmless, until proven otherwise. Besides, a cosmetic product may contain as little as 1% of organic ingredients and still be labelled ‘natural’ or ‘organic’. And our skin is like a sponge, which absorbs everything that you apply to it. If you put on conventional makeup every day, the toxins from it will accumulate in your body over time and this may lead to serious health repercussions. For your own safety, always pay attention to the ingredients list and make sure that at least 95% of them are certified.
2. It’s eco-friendly
Synthetically produced beauty products are packed with chemicals. When they’re used, these chemicals are released into the environment and pollute the air, water, and soil. On the other hand, natural makeup and skincare products are a result of environmentally sound manufacturing – from organically farmed ingredients, to biodegradable packaging (not all of them, though, so look for that three chasing arrows sign on the container before making a purchase). For all the above reasons, they release much less pollutants into the environment both while produced and while used.
Another reason to switch to organic makeup is the fact that it’s never tested on animals. Even the big-box brands including organic options into their offer as proof of their social responsibility. Be a responsible consumer and show that you care for Mother Earth by switching to organic products.
3. It’s nutrient-rich
Another feature that has become a standard in cosmetics industry is dual-purpose makeup. It serves both to beautify you and nurture your skin. Of course, organic makeup is unrivalled here, since it contains only the good stuff and none of the aggressive ingredients found in the conventional products.
Vitamins A, B, D and E are some of the main nutrients that keep your skin youthful and fresh-looking. Let’s not forget vitamin C, which has superb sun-shielding properties and provides a very strong anti-aging effect. Argan oil is also often used, especially in lipsticks, as an excellent moisturizer for chapped lips. Green tea extract soothes irritated skin, liquid foundations may contain maracuja oil or shea butter, which are known for their anti-oxidant properties and help you get smoother skin.
Although not the most important aspect, there’s also the financial benefit of switching to organic makeup. Some people argue that organic products are much pricier than the conventional ones. But with this nutrient-packed makeup you will need much less skincare products and your wallet will thank you for that.

Luckily for all of us environmentally savvy consumers, designers constantly keep coming with new eco-friendly flooring materials. So now there is a vast of flooring materials we can choose from when decorating our homes. Here is a list of both new and old flooring solutions green homeowners can turn to.
Cork
Cork is one of the relatively newer flooring materials and is a great option for eco-friendly homes. It is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. A great thing about it is that no trees have to be cut in order to get this material. Bark grows back every three years and that is what makes it a perfect renewable source for flooring materials. Cork flooring has anti-microbial properties which can help you in reducing allergens in your home. It is also fire retardant and it can act as a as a natural insect repellent as well. Because of the many colors you can choose from and its durability, cork is a great option for almost all rooms.
Wool Carpet
People have been using carpet floorings for quite a long time now. Still, many toxins and volatile organic compounds are used in its production which made it a bad choice for the green homeowners. Luckily, now we can find some eco-friendly options as well. Carpet floors made out of wool are something you can go with. Wool is a natural resource that can be a perfect option for flooring. It can be dyed in any color and then be woven into a carpet. It is very durable and soft to walk on.
Reclaimed Hardwood
Some of the most beautiful floorings are made out of hardwood. Still, hardwood is not considered an eco-friendly due to the deforestation concerns. But there are the ways you can use hardwood and still make your home eco-friendly. Reclaimed hardwood is a perfect option if you want to do so. Such flooring is made out of wood that has been cut down long, long time ago for some other purposes. Reclaimed hardwood can be a great choice for beach cottages and some older homes.
Marble
Marble is another great material you can choose. Made out of natural materials, marble tiles can be a perfect option for your bathroom or kitchen. You can also get a marble fireplace which will help you use less electricity and go perfect with your marble flooring. Marble tiles can also be a great solution for outdoor flooring and pool coping. It is quite durable and easy to clean material. Marble will also give your home that natural look you were hoping for.
With today’s technology and a designers’ imagination we now have many eco-friendly materials to choose from. But not only that these materials are green but they do not cost much as well. So today environmentally savvy consumers can have a perfectly green home without spending much money. Consider these flooring options and make sure you choose other home features that are nature-friendly as well.